I’m in a hurry to get things done,
Oh I rush and rush until life’s no fun.
All I really got to do is live and die,
but I’m in a hurry and don’t know why
This song by Alabama used to make me think of a son… the one who was in a hurry to grow up, to get his first job, to get his first truck, to be finished with school so he could join the army, make it his career. And he did those things… in a hurry.
He said his first ten years would be for career building. His second ten years he could probably slow down and think about a wife and a family.
Then September 11th, 2001 happened. Most of that second ten years has been consumed by putting his skills to work in war, surviving war and training others for war.
It occurred to me, quite awhile ago actually, that Alabama song really wasn’t about him at all. It was more about me… because that what I do… hurry, hurry, hurry. But why? I know the answer, but that’s for another day.
He hurried because he was driven. He’s always known what he wanted to be. Some people are just like that. And some aren’t. And that’s ok.
He was in a hurry to learn and become and do what he was designed for. And yes, I do believe some are designed to be soldiers and leaders of men in battle… because that’s the kind of world we live in.
I’ve written before about our vacation last June, visiting this son in his Kentucky home. I won’t belabor that point – although it’s surprisingly easy for a mom to ramble on about her kids – which I’ve been doing for three days now. One more to go tomorrow.
But I was struck by the calm and peace of his life. He’s lived thru the worst of the worst. It’s good to see him enjoying the best… the simple. It was good to sit with endless cups of coffee and just talk about anything, everything… imagine what lies ahead for him, for our family.
One day as we drove thru the green of West Virginia, and you haven’t seen green till you’ve seen West Virginia (sorry Oregon), he reached over and turned up the radio…. “I like this one” ….
I imagine he knows better than anyone about “those things you can’t change”. And I’m learning there are better ways to go thru a day than hurry and worry.
I like this new song.
Connected today with The Nester’s blog community.
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9-11 changed a lot, didn’t it. Within three months after that day, we had three of our kids join the military, and a fourth as soon as he was old enough. I am very grateful for those who are designed for that sort of work. Our fifteen year old has his sights set on Army and the Rangers – maybe they will meet someday. Enjoying these snapshots of your family, how you have all grown together.
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Yes, 9-11 changed so many things for so many people. That must have been hard to have three at once go into the military. There must have been alot of praying mamas, especially in those early years! David was an instructor for the mountain phase of ranger training. What they go thru is pretty intense, but it makes earning it all the sweeter. He has a wealth of information to share on being a ranger 🙂
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wondrously poignant and beautiful post. so glad you got to head to WV and see your dear son, gain perspective and just be together. loved the photos and the song. Thanks and honor to your dear son for serving, protecting, surviving.
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Thank you so much, Kate. It was a special time to be with him. Thru him we’ve met so many amazing soldiers – – I’m really in awe of all of them and what they do for us.
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